Modular tie

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is related to a modular tie system. The modular tie system can include a garment and a modular tie. The modular tie can include ribbons connectable to a collar of the garment. The upper portions of the ribbons can be connected to the collar and opposing lower portions can hang down on top of the garment and/or can be connected to one another, e.g., to form a bow.

BACKGROUND

Clothing garments and accessories can be worn to express creativity and style. Traditionally, a wearer may express their creativity by wearing garments or accessories with patterns or similar design elements. Garments and accessories typically have a set pattern or design elements that remain in the same place after the garments and accessories are created. However, some wearers may desire to mix and match patterns and design elements of individual garments and design elements after the respective garments and accessories have been created.

SUMMARY

Several examples described herein relate to a modular tie system. In one example a modular tie system includes a garment having a front panel, a back panel and a yoke connecting the front panel and the back panel. The modular tie system also includes a collar stand connected to the yoke and defining an annular opening in the yoke, the collar stand including first and second connectors positioned on opposing sides of the annular opening at positions that are offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel. The modular tie system also includes a modular tie including a first ribbon with a first end configured to releasably couple with the first connector of the collar stand and a second ribbon with a second end configured to releasably couple with the second connector of the collar stand, where the first and second ribbons are engageable with one another when the first and second ribbons are engaged with the first and second connection points.

Another example includes a garment including a front panel and an opposing back panel connected via a shoulder yoke, the front panel having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupleable via a placket. The garment also includes a collar including a collar stand and a collar leaf, the collar leaf connected to the shoulder yoke and the front panel via the collar stand, where the collar defines an annular opening of the garment. The garment also includes a pair of buttons connected to the collar stand at opposing sides of the front band at positions that are offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel, where a first button of the pair of buttons is configured to releasably couple with a first end of a first ribbon and a second button of the pair of buttons is configured to releasably couple with a second end of a second ribbon, and where the collar leaf is foldable along a seam between a first state in which the pair of buttons is concealed and a second state in which the pair of buttons is revealed.

An additional example includes a method, including connecting a first end of a first ribbon to a first connector positioned on a collar stand of a garment having a front panel and an opposing back panel, the collar stand defining an annular opening in the garment and the first connector positioned at a first position that is offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel. The method also includes connecting a second end of a second ribbon to a second connector at a second position that is positioned on an opposing side of the annular opening from the first position and offset from the centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example modular tie system, in accordance with examples;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a modular tie that can be included in particular examples of the modular tie system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates an example connection between a garment and a modular tie that can be included in particular examples of the modular tie system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed portion of a garment in particular examples of the modular tie system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed portion of a garment and a modular tie that can be included in particular examples of the modular tie system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various examples will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the examples may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the example being described.

Examples herein are directed to, among other things, a modular tie system. The modular tie system includes multiple pieces of material, each of which can be independently and removably connected to a garment, for example, at collar mounts located at a collar of the garment. The multiple pieces of material can be tied together to form a bow tie. The multiple pieces of material can include one or more patterns and can be mixed and matched. For example, the modular tie can include two pieces of material, each having a different pattern. The modular tie system can be used with any suitable garment, for example, the collar mounts may be removable from a first garment and connected to a collar of a second garment. However, the modular tie system may be used with a custom garment, for example, where the collar mounts are built into the collar.

Turning now to a particular example, in this example, the modular tie system includes a garment and a modular tie. The garment can include a front panel, a back panel, and a yoke connecting the front panel and the back panel. A collar stand can be connected to the yoke and define an annular opening in the yoke. The collar stand can include first and second mounts positioned on opposing sides of the annular opening at positions that are offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel. The modular tie can include a first ribbon with a first end connectable with the first mount of the collar stand and a second ribbon connectable with the second mount of the collar stand. In various examples, the first and second ribbons can be connected (e.g., tied, knotted, or fastened together) together when the first and/or second ribbons are connected to the collar stand. When tied together, the first and second ribbons may form a bow tie.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a modular tie system 100, according to at least one example. The modular tie system 100 includes a modular tie 102 connected to a garment 104. In particular, the modular tie 102 is connected to a collar 106 that defines an annular opening in the garment 104. The modular tie 102 can include multiple pieces that can be attached and removed from the garment 104. Once attached, the pieces of the modular tie 102 can hang down against the garment 104 and/or can be knotted or tied together. The pieces of the modular tie 102 can be interchangeable, allowing a wearer to mix and max various pieces to create ties with unique colors and patterns.

In various examples, the modular tie 102 is a bow tie. In some examples the modular tie can be any suitable necktie or piece of decorative material. For example, the modular tie 102 may be or include a bandanna, a scarf, an apron necktie, an ascot tie, a bolo tie, a Windsor tie, a four-in-hand tie, a cravat, a sailor tie, a string tie, a seven-fold tie, a kipper tie, a hunting stock tie, a macclesfield tie, a rep tie, or any other suitable type of tie formed from the same or other materials as the bow tie. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the modular tie 102 can include multiple pieces, for example, a first piece can connect to one side of the collar 106 and a second piece can connect to a second side of the collar. The modular tie 102 can include one or more colors, one or more patterns, and/or be formed from one or more materials. For example, the first piece can include a first color and the second piece can include a second color, the first piece can include a first pattern and the second piece can include a second pattern, and/or the first piece can include a first material and the second piece can include a second material. However, the modular tie 102 may have a single color, pattern, and/or material.

The garment 104 can be or include a shirt, for example a dress shirt. The garment 104 can be worn by a wearer. The garment 104 can be or include one or more types of material. For example, the garment 104 can be or include fabric. The garment 104 may additionally or alternatively include one or more colors and/or patterns. For example, the garment 104 may have a pattern and/or a color that matches and/or coordinates with the color and/or pattern of the modular tie 102. The garment 104 can be or include one or more pieces joined (e.g., sewn) together. For example, the garment 104 can include a front panel 108 connected to a back panel 118 via a shoulder yoke 110. The one or more pieces can be or include the same material or may be or include different materials. The front panel 108 can include multiple pieces of fabric or may be a single sheet of fabric. For example, a placket 116 can connect a first side of the front panel 108A with a second side of the front panel 108B. The placket 116 may include one or more fasteners 120 (e.g., connection points, connectors, buttons, toggles, studs, snap fasteners, poppers, eyelets, buckles, zippers, hook and loop connectors, froggings, hook and eye connectors, magnets, grommets, broches, pins, fabric ties, laces and any other suitable structure for connecting the first side of the front panel 108A with the second side of the front panel 108B) for connecting sides of the front panel 108. The garment 104 can additionally or alternatively include one or more sleeves 112 (e.g., a left sleeve and a right sleeve).

In some examples, the front panel 108 can include one or more connectors 114 for connecting to a portion of the modular tie 102. For example, the connectors 114 can be positioned to connect to a portion of the modular tie 102 when the modular tie is hanging downwards from the collar 106, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The connectors 114 can be positioned on the inside of the front panel 108 such that that mounts are not visible when the modular tie 102 is tied. The connectors 114 can be or include one or more of a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, laces, and/or any suitable connection mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the modular tie 102 can include multiple pieces, for example, multiple pieces of fabric. As shown, the modular tie 102 includes a first ribbon 202 and a second ribbon 204. The first ribbon 202 and/or second ribbon 204 can include an upper portion 206 and a lower portion 208 divided by dashed line 207. The upper portion 206 can have a smaller width than the lower portion 208. The lower portion 208 can be or include a shape or design. The upper portion 206 and/or the lower portion 208 may be or include the same pattern, color, and/or material. However, the pattern, color, and/or material of the upper and lower portions 206, 208 may be different. In various examples, the upper portion 206 and/or the lower portion 208 can include one or more mounting points 210. The mounting points 210 can be coupled with the ribbons 202, 204 such that the mounting points are not easily removable from the ribbons. However, the mounting points 210 may be removably connected to the ribbons 202, 204, in some examples. The mounting points 210 can be or include a notch that can receive and engage with one or more mounts (e.g., a button) on the garment 104. The mounting points 210 can additionally or alternatively be or include a connector, a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, laces, and/or any connection mechanism suitable for coupling the ribbons 202, 204 and the garment 104.

As an illustrative example, the first and second ribbons 202, 204 can be or include pieces of a bow tie. The first ribbon 202 can be a first side of a bow tie with a first pattern and the second ribbon 204 can be a second side of a bow tie with a second pattern. The first and second ribbons 202, 204 can each have mounting points 210 positioned at an end of the upper portion 206. The mounting points 210 can be coupled with corresponding mounts on the garment 104. The first or second ribbon 202, 204 can hang downward while the mounting points 210 are coupled with the garment 104 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In some examples, the lower portions 208 of the first and second ribbons may be tied together to form a knot and/or bow, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The first and second ribbons 202, 204 can be joined together, such that, they form a bow that is similar to or the same as a bow formed by a traditional bow tie.

In some examples, the first or second ribbon 202, 204 can include one or more connection points 212 on the lower portion 208. The connection points 212 can engage with the connectors 114 when the first or second ribbon 202, 204 is hanging downward from the collar 106 and reduce or prevent movement of the ribbons. For example, the connection points 212 can engage with the connectors 114 to hold the ribbons in place to reduce or prevent movement of the ribbons 202, 204 when the wearer moves. The connection points 212 can be positioned on the back side of the ribbons 202, 204 such that the connection points 212 are not visible when the ribbons are hanging down. Additionally or alternatively, the connection points 212 may be positioned within the ribbons 202, 204, for example, between two pieces of fabric. As an illustrative example, the connectors 114 can include a magnet and the connection points 212 can include another opposing magnet that can attract and hold the ribbons 202, 204 against the front panel 108.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 illustrate an example connection between the modular tie 102 and the garment 104 that can be included in particular examples of the modular tie system 100 of FIG. 1. The garment 104 includes the collar 106 connected to the garment 104. The collar 106 includes a collar stand 302 and a collar leaf 304. The collar stand 302 can be connected to itself to form an annular opening in the garment 104. For example, the collar stand 302 can be connected via fastener 120A. The collar 106 can have one side (e.g., a lower side) connected to the garment 104 and another side (e.g., an upper side) connected to the collar leaf 304. The collar leaf 304 can be connected to the collar stand 302 such that the collar leaf is able to be folded over the collar stand 302. The collar stand 302 and/or the collar leaf 304 can be or include material similar to the material of the garment 104. However, the collar stand 302 and/or the collar leaf 304 may be or include different material than the material of the collar 106. For example, the collar stand 302 and/or the collar leaf 304 may be or include a stiffer material. The collar stand 302 and/or the collar leaf 304 can define an opening 306, for example an annular opening, in the garment 104. The opening 306 can allow a wearer to position the collar stand 302 and/or the collar leaf 304 around a portion of their body, for example, their neck.

One or more mounts 308 can be positioned on the collar stand 302 and/or on the collar leaf 304 at various positions. The mounts 308 can be connected to the collar stand 302 at various positions. For example, the mounts 308 can be mounted on the collar stand 302 on opposing sides of fastener 120A. The mounts 308 can be mounted on the collar stand 302 a distance away from fastener 120A along the circumference of the collar stand. For example, the mounts 308 can be mounted on each side of the fastener 120A in a range between 2 inches and 6 inches away from the fastener. As shown in FIG. 3B, the mounts 308 can be mounted on the front half of the collar stand 302 (e.g., forward of a centerline 314 of the opening 306 towards the front panel 108). The mounts 308 can be positioned on each side of the fastener 120A and spaced apart from the fastener at a ratio of the overall length of the collar stand 302. For example, the mounts 308 can be mounted a distance away from the fastener 120A that is ⅕^(th) of the total distance of the collar stand 302.

In various examples, the mounts 308 can be positioned on the collar stand 302 such that the collar 106 can be folded over to cover the mounts 308. The mounts 308 can be connected to the collar stand 302 such that the mounts are not easily removed from the collar stand (e.g., sewn, glued, stapled, or attached using any suitable attachment mechanism such that the mounts are permanently or semi-permanently attached). In some examples, the mounts 308 may be removably connected to the collar stand 302 such that the mounts 308 are easily removed from the collar stand 302. For example, the mounts 308 can be or include a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, laces, and/or any connector suitable for connecting the modular tie 102 to the collar stand 302.

In some examples, the mounts 308 can be positioned on the collar stand 302 such that when the ribbons 202, 204 are engaged with the mounts, the connectors 114 can be engaged with connection points 212. In various examples, there may be a single connector 114 to connect with connection points on one or both of the ribbons 202, 204 (as shown in FIG. 3A). In some examples, multiple connectors 114 can be positioned on the garment 104 such that each ribbon 202, 204 connects with a separate connector 114. The connectors 114 may be positioned a distance away from the mounts 308 such that the portion of the ribbon that spans between the mounts and the connectors lays relatively flat against the front panel 108.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of an example mount 308, according to at least one example. The mount 308 includes a first side 310 and a second side 312. The first side 310 can be positioned on one side of the collar stand 302 and the second side 312 can be positioned on the opposing side of the collar stand. A portion of the first or second sides 310, 312 can extend through the collar stand 302 for engagement with the opposing side. For example, the first side 310 can be or include a pin that can pierce the collar stand 302 and engage with the second side 312 on the opposing side of the collar stand. The first and second sides 310, 312 can be connected to the collar stand 302 such that they are not easily removable. For example, the sides 310, 312 can be engaged with one another such that a tool is used to disengage the sides. In various examples, the first or second side 310, 312 may be removable, such that, a tool is not needed to disengage the sides.

In various examples, a portion of the modular tie 102 may be positioned between the first side 310 or second side 312 and the collar stand 302. For example, a mounting point 210 of the first or second ribbon 202, 204 can be positioned between the first side 310 and the collar stand 302. A portion of the first side 310 can extend through the mounting point 210 to engage with the second side 312 positioned on the opposing side of the collar stand 302 to connect the respective first or second ribbon 202, 204 to the collar stand. In some examples, the first and second sides 310, 312 can be positioned on the collar stand 302 prior to receiving a portion of the modular tie 102. For example, the first and second sides 310, 312 can be positioned on opposing sides of the collar stand 302 and engaged with one another to receive the mounting point 210 of the first or second ribbon 202, 204.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated examples thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed examples (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, connected to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate examples of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is intended to be understood within the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain examples require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

Preferred examples of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred examples may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular tie system, comprising: a garment comprising: a front panel; a back panel; a yoke connecting the front panel and the back panel; and a collar stand connected to the yoke and defining an annular opening in the yoke, the collar stand comprising first and second connectors positioned on opposing sides of the annular opening at positions that are offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel; and a modular tie comprising a first ribbon with a first end configured to releasably couple with the first connector of the collar stand and a second ribbon with a second end configured to releasably couple with the second connector of the collar stand, wherein the first and second ribbons are engageable with one another when the first and second ribbons are engaged with the first and second connectors.
 2. The modular tie system of claim 1, wherein the first ribbon comprises a first pattern and the second ribbon comprises a second pattern.
 3. The modular tie system of claim 2, wherein the first pattern is a different pattern from the second pattern.
 4. The modular tie system of claim 1, wherein the first end or the second end defines an opening for receiving the respective first or second connecter.
 5. The modular tie system of claim 1, wherein the first connector or the second connector comprises at least one of a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, or laces.
 6. The modular tie system of claim 1, wherein the garment further comprises a first attachment device positioned on the front panel and configured to engage with a second attachment device positioned on the first ribbon, wherein when the first attachment device is engaged with the second attachment device a portion of the first ribbon spanning between the first connector and the first attachment device lays flat against the front panel.
 7. The modular tie system of claim 6, wherein the first attachment device is positioned on an interior side of the front panel, the second attachment device is positioned between layers of material forming the first ribbon, and the first and second attachment devices comprise magnets.
 8. The modular tie system of claim 1, wherein when the first connector is removed from the collar stand, a third connector is positionable on the collar stand in place of the first connector, the third connector comprising at least one of a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, or laces.
 9. A garment, comprising: a front panel and an opposing back panel connected via a shoulder yoke, the front panel having a first portion and a second portion releasably coupleable via a placket; a collar comprising a collar stand and a collar leaf, the collar leaf connected to the shoulder yoke and the front panel via the collar stand, wherein the collar defines an annular opening of the garment; and a pair of buttons connected to the collar stand at positions that are offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel, wherein a first button of the pair of buttons is configured to releasably couple with a first end of a first ribbon and a second button of the pair of buttons is configured to releasably couple with a second end of a second ribbon, and wherein the collar leaf is foldable along a seam between a first state in which the pair of buttons is concealed and a second state in which the pair of buttons is revealed.
 10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first end or the second end defines an opening for receiving the respective first or second button.
 11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first ribbon comprises a third end and the second ribbon comprises a fourth end, the third and fourth ends engageable with one another when the first and second ribbons are coupled with the pair of buttons.
 12. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first ribbon comprises a first material, the second ribbon comprises a second material, and the garment comprises a third material.
 13. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first button or the second button is removable from the collar stand.
 14. The garment of claim 9, wherein the front panel comprises an attachment device configured to engage with a portion of the first ribbon when the first end of the first ribbon is coupled to the first button, wherein when the attachment device is engaged with the first ribbon the portion of the first ribbon spanning between the first button and the attachment device lays flat against the garment.
 15. A method, comprising: connecting a first end of a first ribbon to a first connector positioned on a collar stand of a garment having a front panel and an opposing back panel, the collar stand defining an annular opening in the garment and the first connector positioned at a first position that is offset from a centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel; and connecting a second end of a second ribbon to a second connector at a second position that is positioned on an opposing side of the annular opening from the first position and offset from the centerline of the annular opening towards the front panel.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising, engaging a third end of the first ribbon with a fourth end of the second ribbon to couple the first ribbon with the second ribbon at a position between the first and second connectors above the front panel.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein connecting the first end of the first ribbon to the first connector comprises positioning a portion of the first connector in an opening defined at the first end.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein connecting the first end of the first ribbon to the first connector comprises positioning the first ribbon between a first portion of the first connector and the collar stand and engaging the first portion and a second portion of the first connector positioned on an opposing side of the collar stand.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first connector or the second connector comprises at least one of a button, toggle, stud, snap fastener, popper, eyelet, buckle, zipper, hook and loop connector, frogging, hook and eye, magnet, grommet, broche, pin, fabric tie, or laces.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising, prior to connecting the first end of the first ribbon to the first connector: positioning a first portion of the first connector on a first side of the collar stand and positioning a second portion of the first connector on an opposing second side of the collar stand; and engaging the first portion of the first connector with the second portion of the first connector. 